The bandwidth of a measurement system that includes remotely located strain gages and Wheatstone bridge-based sensors is affected by the capacitance of the connecting cables interacting with the output impedance of the sensor. Commonly referred to as cable roll-off, this frequency response—typically characterized in terms of the −3 dB cutoff frequency of an equivalent RC filter—can be calculated but requires accurate determination of the relevant R and C. These values can be difficult to measure or estimate and are not always specified by cable manufacturers. Here, methods are introduced for predicting and measuring roll-off on cable-sensor pairs in common measurement circuits. A model for the multi-conductor cable capacitance (C) is developed, along with accurate methods for determining it using manufacturer specifications or, when required, benchtop measurements. The applicable sensor and cable resistance (R) is also explained in terms of standard specifications. Using the properly defined values for R and C, roll-off predictions are presented for measurement circuits connected by two standard cable types (paired and non-paired) and compared with roll-off measurements obtained using a benchtop method. An AC current injection methodology is also introduced, as it provides an accurate in situ measurement of roll-off prior to test time.

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Methods and Procedures for Predicting Cable Roll-Off in Bridge-Based Sensor Measurements

  • Alan R. Szary,
  • Thomas P. Gerber,
  • Douglas R. Firth

摘要

The bandwidth of a measurement system that includes remotely located strain gages and Wheatstone bridge-based sensors is affected by the capacitance of the connecting cables interacting with the output impedance of the sensor. Commonly referred to as cable roll-off, this frequency response—typically characterized in terms of the −3 dB cutoff frequency of an equivalent RC filter—can be calculated but requires accurate determination of the relevant R and C. These values can be difficult to measure or estimate and are not always specified by cable manufacturers. Here, methods are introduced for predicting and measuring roll-off on cable-sensor pairs in common measurement circuits. A model for the multi-conductor cable capacitance (C) is developed, along with accurate methods for determining it using manufacturer specifications or, when required, benchtop measurements. The applicable sensor and cable resistance (R) is also explained in terms of standard specifications. Using the properly defined values for R and C, roll-off predictions are presented for measurement circuits connected by two standard cable types (paired and non-paired) and compared with roll-off measurements obtained using a benchtop method. An AC current injection methodology is also introduced, as it provides an accurate in situ measurement of roll-off prior to test time.